Dear Parents and Community,

“Do Your Best and Ace the Test”

This is our new slogan this year as we come up on the state testing this

spring. We feel with the state including student growth as a component of

the testing, this will allow ALL students to be successful. We will be offering

many incentives for students for their efforts and for their achievements.

These incentives include a half-day picnic at the football field, exemption

from 1st semester exams next year, entry into gift card drawings, and a full

day off in the fall for the grade that has the highest percentage of students

who meet the state benchmarks. Students who achieve advanced proficiency

will also be able to move up grade levels in those core areas. Lastly, taking all

the components of the state testing is a graduation requirement as stated in

the student handbook.

The testing is important to the school as a whole. First, we are required to

have 95% participation in all of the tests in all subgroups. It is also important

that all students put in their best effort in all areas. Even if your student has

not been a traditionally great test taker, showing marked improvement from

previous years benefits the school. Failure to meet the participation

requirement or to meet state benchmarks academically could lead to the

school being identified as a priority school and put under certain state

controls.

Please see the testing schedule below:

Tuesday, April 11: 12th grade: No School, 11th grade: SAT, 10th

Grade: PSAT 10, 9th Grade: PSAT, 7th and 8th grade: Regular

classes: No testing

Wednesday, April 12: 11th Grade: ACT Work keys; All other

grades regular classes

April 10– May 5: Online M-STEP testing for 8th grade (Math,

English, & Soc. Studies) and 11th Grade (Science & Soc. Studies)

May 1-26: Online M-STEP testing for 7th Grade (Math, English, &

Science)

We appreciate your support in getting all of our students to school on time

during the state testing. If you have any questions about the testing, please

contact my office. I hope all of you have a great spring break and our

students come back rested and ready to “Do their best and ace the test!”

Your Principal,

Ryan Melrose

I.B. World School

5200 Taft Road Algonac, MI 48001 (810) 794-4911 March 2017

Algonac Jr/Sr High School

Mu

sk

ra

ts

Upcoming Events

April 3-7 Spring Break—No

School

April 10-May 5 M-STEP, 8th & 11th gr

April 11 SAT, 11th gr

PSAT 10, 10th gr

PSAT 8/9, 9th gr

No School for 12th gr

April 12 ACT WorkKeys, 11th gr

April 14 & 17 EASTER BREAK-

No School

April 24 Parent Advisory, 4pm

April 28 Oakland University

Campus Tour

April 29 Prom

May 18 HS Band Concert

May 22 Parent Advisory, 9 am

May 24-26 Senior Exams

May 26 Seniors’ Last Day

May 29 MEMORIAL DAY

June 1 7th & 8th Band Concert

June 9 Senior Awards, 8am

Graduation, 6pm

June 10 Senior All Night Party

June 12 8th Grade Awards 6 pm

June 13 Half Day, Exams

June 14 Half Day, Exams

June 15 Half Day, LAST DAY

Letter from the Principal

Some items of interest in this issue:

Graduation Requirements, page 2

Prom, page 4

2nd Annual Color Out Cancer Run, page 6

Full Metal Muskrats, page 7

Need to study for the new redesigned

SAT? Check out Khan Academy's free

test prep website.

https://www.khanacademy.org/sat

Algonac Jr./Sr. High School

Campus Tours in the Spring

On Thursday, March 2nd 2017, a group of juniors visited Central Michigan University in

Mount Pleasant, Michigan. The visit included a presentation on why all students should

attend college, the college admissions process, information about life on campus, and

sources of financial aid for college. After the presentation, students were taken on a

walking tour of the campus. They were shown the student union, the student library,

the recreational center, a sample dorm room, and one of CMU’s cafeterias where they

enjoyed lunch. It was an amazing trip that was organized by Ms. Niester, the college

advisor at AJSH.

There is an upcoming campus tour to Oakland University on Friday, April 28th. The agenda of this trip will

be similar to that of the CMU one. Any interested sophomores and juniors can pick up a permission slip

from either office at AJSH. Permission slips are due by Friday, April 21st at the latest. Bring them directly to

Ms. Niester’s office.

Page 2

Counseling Center News

AHS Graduation Requirements- 22 total credits

4 English (English 9, 10, 11, 12)

4 Math (Algebra, Algebra II, Geometry & One Math Course Final Year of High School) (Algebra I taken in 8th grade fulfills

this requirement)

3 Social Studies (World History, US History, Government/Economics)

3 Science (Biology, Chemistry or Physics & one (1) additional science)

1 World Language Credit (Spanish I from middle fulfills this requirement)

1 Visual/Performing/Applied Art Credit

1 Health Education/Physical Education

5 Electives

Important Info for Seniors!

All seniors must have all graduation requirements met prior to graduation practice on June 8, 2017 at 1:00 PM or they will

not walk in the graduation ceremony on Friday, June 9, 2017.

All Credit Recovery for seniors must be done by May 26, 2017!

Credit Recovery is an on-going process. Students must work diligently now to regain their lost credits.

Any questions, contact Ms. Niester - online learning coordinator at (810) 794-4911 ext 1272 or amanda.niester@acsk12.us.

Scheduling for 2017/18

Scheduling for the 17/18 school year is well under way. Ms. Blair has been busy mass adding required courses for students who

will be in grades 7-12 next school year. Ms. Blair will be visiting students through their English (ELA) classes in the next few

weeks. Information on required classes and elective offerings can be found at the school website. Parents and students can

view course request for the 2017/18 through Skyward and changes can be made through the student portal. Ms. Blair will host

parent information nights in the upcoming weeks and information on dates and times will be publicized through the daily an-

nouncements that can be viewed at the school website, as well as on social media.

Algonac Jr./Sr. High

Page 3

FAFSA Frenzy!

Has your Muskrat submitted their FAFSA (Free Application for

Federal Student Aid) yet? As of March 1st, 73% of all Seniors

had submitted their FAFSA. Every Senior should submit a

FAFSA. Our school’s goal is to reach 80% by the end of April

and, if so, the entire senior class will be awarded a pizza party!

FAFSA Facts and Myths

Myth: I make too much money for my child to get any money.

Fact: First, there is no income limit on who is eligible for FAFSA money. Second, income is not the only factor in

deciding what types of aid might be offered to a student. Some other factors include how many people you have

in your household, the number of people in college, and more. The only way to know exactly how much your stu-

dent might qualify for, is to submit a FAFSA. Furthermore, grants, scholarships, work study, and loans are all con-

sidered to be financial aid. Even if your student only qualifies for loans, they do not have to accept those loans.

Myth: If my student submits a FAFSA, they have to take the money.

Fact: FAFSA money is offered to students. There is no requirement that they have to accept it. This means that a

student can choose to reject any FAFSA money, including loans, with no consequence. Therefore, there is no

downside to filing the FAFSA!

Myth: My student will get more if I do not provide my tax information on the FAFSA.

Fact: You are actually hurting your student if you refuse to provide your tax information on the FAFSA. Students

who are not able to provide their parent’s tax information are offered only loans. These loans are uncapped and

mostly unsubsidized. This means that almost all of the loans offered to your student would start accruing interest

as soon as they are taken out.

Myth: I need my 2016 tax information to file the FAFSA.

Fact: You can use your 2015 tax return information as long as you go back and adjust the information provided

on your FAFSA once you get the new information.

Myth: My child is going into the military or an apprenticeship; therefore, I do not need to submit the FAFSA.

Fact: Think of the FAFSA as a backup plan. Worst case scenario, if something goes wrong, your student is injured,

does not get the job, or changes their mind, they are going to want to have filled out the FAFSA if they end up

wanting or needing to go to college.

Myth: My student is going to a technical school, and does not need the FAFSA.

Fact: Technical schools accept FAFSA money. They are very expensive and would be difficult to pay for without

FAFSA money.

If you have any questions about or need help with the FAFSA, please feel free to contact the College Adviser, Ms.

Niester via email (amanda.niester@acsk12.us), phone (810-794-4911 ext 1272).

Counseling Center News (Continued)

News around the School

WHAT TO DO IF YOU’RE READY FOR SPRING, BUT IT’S NOT HERE YET

Allow yourself some time to dream and plan for the coming growing season.

Last year, students and community members began growing plants and started a

landscape design on the school grounds. Now the excitement is building for this year.

Contact Club Advisor for details.

If you are passionate about fresh food and outdoor adventures, come join us!

Plans thus far are to install a fountain in the cafeteria courtyard,

plant fruit bearing trees, start seeds,

cultivate an herb and vegetable garden, and

install a tribute boulder for seniors.

Algonac Jr./Sr. High School

Page 4

Senior All Night Party

When: April 29, 2017

Where: Marine City Knights of Columbus Hall

6385 King Road.

Time: Doors open at 7:00, Dinner is served at 7:30.

Tickets go on sale April 12-21 in Student Services Office and

will be $35 per person.

Club Sow and So

Seniors - if you haven’t already turned in your money and

permission slip for the SANP, please do so ASAP. Students

who do not have a signed permission slip will not be allowed

entry.

We are still in need of many volunteers to help with the party

on Saturday, June 10th. The party goes from 10:00 p.m. until

5:00 a.m. Anyone who is able to prepare or supply food or

set-up or tear down, may contact Judy Vernier at (586)206-

7163 (judithvernier@comcast.net) or Kelly Osterland at

(810)523-8785 (theosterlands@comcast.net).

Algonac Jr./Sr. High School

Page 5

On Friday, March 17th, the Algonac Jr./Sr. High School Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) hosted the 2nd

annual Lock-In. The lock-in was open to grades 9-12, and 94 students attended. The event began at 9:30 p.m. and start-

ing at 10:30 p.m. students and teachers who volunteered as chaperones were “locked in” to the school until 7:00 the next

morning. During this time, students ate pizza and snacks, participated in

wiffle ball, basketball, volleyball, board games, hide and seek, card

games, dancing, movies, and many different video games. The night

ended with a pancake breakfast at 6:00 in the morning. The lock-in was a

huge success raising approximately $1,100 for a local family to help pay

for expenses following the unexpected passing of their mother.

2nd Annual Lock-In

Scholastic Book Fair

Scholastic Book Fair will run from April 24th through April

28th. The Scholastic Fair is a reading event that brings the books kids want to read to our school! It’s a wonderful

selection of engaging and affordable books for every

reading level. Your child will be visiting the fair during their

English class and can make purchases at any time during

the week or after school until 2:45.

Book Fair dates: April 24-28

Shopping hours: 7:35-2:45

Before you visit the Book Fair, be sure to download the

Book Fairs app to help you find the right books for your

child. For more information, visit scholastic.com/apps/

bookfairs.

Remember, all purchases benefit our school.

Page 6

3rd Annual Color Out Cancer Run Family friendly event! Bring your mom on Mother’s Day to walk for a mother in need. Run or walk the 4.3 miles and get splashed with color four times along the way!

Sunday, May 21stth, 9:00 am at Algonac Jr/Sr High School.

NEW online registration option: www.runsignup.com/Race/MI/Algonac/ColorOutCancerRun2017.

Price: $30.00 per person (includes: T-shirt, bandana and personal pack of powder.) This is planned to be a fun family event! Bring the kids! One child (10 and under) FREE per one adult. No need to run; you can walk if you choose. Individuals 18 or younger will need parental consent.

There will be a Party in the Park at the finish line in Clay Township Park, which includes food, drinks, mu-sic, raffle prizes and powder throwing!

The Annual Oscars event was held at Algon-

quin Auditorium on March 21st. Leading the

event were Emcee’s Alina DeVoogd, Danielle

Damato, Jacob Sweat and Luke Stephenson.

The emcee’s were assisted by senior track

hostesses: Chloe Nowaczyk, Sondra Tercha,

Taylor LaParl and Shannon Avers. Wonderful

performances were done by Jade Schwark,

Jada Strickland, Jaime Socia, Madeline Mel-

drum, Kate Vernier and Olivia O’Reagan.

There were over 30 Algonac Oscars pre-

sented to the students of Algonac High School.

Right: Jade Schwark

shows off her musical

talent by playing the

violin

Algonac Jr./Sr. High School

Algonac Jr./Sr. High School

Page 7

Full Metal Muskrats

Algonac Robotics is in its sophomore year and going strong. The club added two new elementary school teams

and this past fall saw the success of the middle school’s FIRST Tech Challenge team. The RoboRats #9819 travelled

to compete in Marysville and Bedford in their regular season. At Marysville

the RoboRats finished 2nd out of 40 teams. After those two events, the stu-

dents even went the distance to compete in a competition in Ohio, where

they competed against teams consisting of high school students. They had a

strong season and learned a lot from their experience.

In January, the high school’s FIRST Robotics Competition team,

The Full Metal Muskrats, attended a kickoff event at Capac High School to

introduce the 2017 game, Steamworks. This years game has the students

going steampunk with six weeks to design, build, and program the robot.

The game requires “Big Bertha” (the name the students gave the robot) to

manipulate gears and shoot balls. The field is interactive and has players in

stations working to score points with the robot.

The team attended meetings at Oxford High School, St. Clair

Community College, and Marysville High School to discuss strategy

and design with other teams in the area. Doing so prepared the team

for their first event, the Waterford District Qualifier at Waterford

Mott High School. This event was the first of the season and the team

finished the qualifying rounds ranked 17th of 40 teams. The competi-

tion was fierce as students faced well-experienced state and world

champions. They were picked to be a part of the 5th seeded alliance

and fought for their own in the eliminations. Finally finishing the

night, they lost during the third round of semifinals. It was a success-

ful weekend for the team.

The next district qualifying competition is at Marysville High

School, April 7-8, 2017 where the Full Metal Muskrats will compete

again and try to earn their place at State Championship. They con-

tinue to work hard and improve their robot to go further than ever before. The bar is set high, and the team would love

to see the community’s support at the event!

Left: Kathryn Emery, Alina

DeVoogd, and Shelby Woods

cheer the team on during

Semi-finals at Waterford Mott

High School

Algonac Jr./Sr. High School

Page 8

AHS Choir News

Algonquin Elementary Auditorium

May 10 & 11

7pm Presale Tickets (Algonac Water Lily) Tickets at the door:

$3/Student $5/Student

$5/Adult $8/Adult

Come hear some popular music and support our choral program!

THE MAGIC OF DISNEY

A generous donation of money was received

earlier this year, so a class set of world atlases

could be purchased for Mrs. Ruhlman’s stu-

dents. The donor wishes to remain anony-

mous at this time. A heartfelt thank you from

the 8th graders and their extremely grateful

teacher

Mrs. Ruhlman’s Classes Receive New Atlases

News from Algonac Bands

Algonac Jr./Sr. High School

Page 9

MSBOA District 16 Solo and Ensemble Festival

In the beginning of the year, Algonac had the privilege of sending several musicians to both District and State Solo and

Ensemble Festival. Each event is heard by a professional musician and graded on a report card which produces a final

rating from 5 (very poor) to 1 (excellent).

Events receiving a Second Division rating earn a red medal. Events receiving a First Division rating earn a blue medal.

High School events participating in Solo and Ensemble that receive a First Division rating have the opportunity to ad-

vance to the State Solo and Ensemble Festival in late March.

Here were our events and results for 2016:

District Festival:

Second Division Rating:

Alina DeVoogd and Brianna Fuhrman - trumpet duet; Katie Morris and Lisa Atherton - snare drum duet; Hannah Stick-

ler and Kaitlyn Goodman - flute and clarinet duet; Kaitlyn Goodman, Erica Boughner, and Danny Kramer - flute, alto

saxophone, french horn trio; Sam Lookliss, Skylar Genso, and Riley Petit - bass clarinet, bass clarinet, bassoon trio;

Joley Hoyt and Sophia Gerlando - trumpet and flute duet

First Division Rating:

Breanna Appleton, Hannah Stickler, Kassie Sepanski, and Emily Cross - clarinet quartet; Breanna Appleton, Hannah

Stickler - clarinet duet; Maddy Meldrum - snare solo; Maddy Meldrum and Sophia Gerlando - flute and marimba duet;

Kaitlyn Goodman and Sophia Gerlando - flute duet

State Festival:

Second Division Rating:

Kaitlyn Goodman and Sophia Gerlando - flute duet

First Division Rating:

Madeline Meldrum and Sophia Gerlando - flute and marimba duet - First Division; Breanna Appleton and Hannah Stick-

ler - clarinet duet - First Division; Breanna Appleton, Hannah Stickler, Kassie Sepanski, Emily Cross - clarinet quartet -

First Division; Madeline Meldrum - snare drum solo - Proficiency 1 - score of 89 and blue medal

The following students participated in the Middle School Solo

and Ensemble Festival:

Second Division:

Alexis Wagner and Angel Simons - clarinet duet; Lauryn Ziolkowski

- flute solo

First Division:

Kirsten Kessler, Terry Zerpa, Autumn Wareham, and Brendon

Wolfe - trumpet, alto saxophone, vibraphone, tuba quartet; Emily

Appleton, Olivia Brody - flute duet; Emily Appleton, Olivia

Brody, Tabitha Balduck - flute, flute, marimba trio

Congratulations to all of our young musicians!

Algonac Community Schools- Kindergarten Round-up

Please join us if you have a child (or know of one) that will be 5 years old by September 1, 2017:

Millside Elementary School 1904 Mill Street

April 27-28, 9am-2pm; call 810-794-8880 to make an appointment May 3, 6pm-7:30pm; drop in For more information, call 810-794-8880.

Requesting Student Homework

Parents should call to request a stu-

dent’s homework if the student has

missed two or more days. Students

are always given as many days that

they were absent to make up assign-

ments missed while they were out.

When requesting work for a student,

please ask for it as early as possible in

the beginning of the day so that teach-

ers have sufficient time to get it ready

for pick-up in the afternoon.

Attendance Line

Dial Algonac Jr./Sr. High School at

(810) 794-4911, and PRESS OPTION 1,

which is the

Attendance Line.

Please leave the following information

when reporting your student absent and be

sure to speak clearly:

1. Name of student

2. Reason student is absent

3. Parent/Guardian name

Reminder:

We do not interrupt teaching time

to give students items that they

have left at home or to give them

food or drinks.

We will call them down at the end

of the hour, after the bell rings to

give them these items. If parents

bring in medication to give to their

child, we will call into the class-

room so that the parent can ad-

minister it.

Thank you for your understanding

and cooperation.

News from the Office

Algonac Jr/Sr High School

5200 Taft Road

Algonac, MI 48001

Page 10

The Competitive Cheer team had an amazing season finishing 2nd in

the Blue Water Area Conference for the first time in school history.

The team was recognized to have the second highest GPA in the

state for Division 3, awarding them an Academic All-State Honorable

Mention. Five individuals were recognized as Academic All-State Ath-

letes by earning an unweighted GPA of 3.8 or higher in the Fall 2016

Semester. Those individuals were: Maria Catenacci, Erica Erdmann,

Chloe Gieraga, Miranda Hild, and Chloe’ Nowaczyk. The team had 5

All-District athletes including Maria Catenacci who was 1st Team,

Desiree Davey and Jaime Socia who made 2nd Team, and Miranda

Hild and Autumn Kemske who made Honorable Mention. There

were also 5 All-League athletes including Erica Erdmann, Morgan

Kerrigan, and Chloe’ Nowaczyk who were 1st Team and Chloe

Gieraga and Teddie Quinn who made Honorable Mention.

Competitive Cheer